This blog will feature interviews by POD Shopkeepers. A set of questions will be posed to each featured shopkeeper, with variation to ensure we get to know something special about each shopkeeper! Shopkeepers are asked to have fun when answering, so come back each week and see what exciting things they have to say!

This painting of two frolicking zebras was a delight for me to create, because I love zebras, and I love pink! Zebras have the most beautiful and fascinating coats ever, and they even have stripes in their manes...they are living works of art. I love the combination of pink and black so it was actually something like indulging myself when I painted two zebras with a pink and black colour scheme. And roses are one of my favourite flowers, though of course I love all flowers. So this painting is amongst my very favourite of all the paintings that I have ever created.

What sites do you use to promote your zazzle store? (directly or indirectly - such as sites you use to promote your blogs which promote your store) *

Blogger/ Blogspot

If you could get your item on any TV show - which item would it be and what show would it be on....and why??? *

I would choose this painting because I love horses, and because this is my first ever, as well as my only oil painting; and if I can ever manage to conquer the obstacles, I hope to create more oil paintings in future, especially paintings of horses and fantasy art. I always like to paint my horses without any reins or whatever else humans put on them, for I prefer that these noble and beautiful creatures should be free. When I painted this painting I immediately knew that oils are a medium which suit me very well as an artist.

Do you prefer to work.... *

Night

How did you find zazzle - and what kept you going with it? *

I found Zazzle thanks to someone who told me about it. I keep going with it because my dream is to make my living as an artist, and recently Zazzle has come out with such very cool things, like porcelain teapots (I love teapots).

Saturday, April 28, 2012

What is your favorite design from your shop to create - even if it is not a best seller? and why is it your favorite? *

I really enjoy making mugs on Zazzle. I first created this design on this mug, which was inspired by the love of my daughter Kylie for her fiancée, Ryan and I wanted to place their initials within a heart. I spent a long time trying different designs and text styles until I was totally happy with my choice.I like the monogrammed flow of this one that I chose. This has become one of my best sellers,so much so I am now creating a whole new section in my store displaying this design on many products, called Hello Young Lovers.http://www.zazzle.com/lovers_monogrammed_mug-168434145529471458

What sites do you use to promote your zazzle store? (directly or indirectly - such as sites you use to promote your blogs which promote your store) *

Blogger/ Blogspot

Wordpress

Posterous

Twitter

Tumblr

Stumbleupon

Facebook

G+ (google+)

Facebook pages

Pingler

Squidoo

Linkedin

If you could get your item on any TV show - which item would it be and what show would it be on....and why??? *

http://www.zazzle.com/sassy_witch_halloween_poster-228000950276110449
This design was the first graphic design that I achieved in Photoshop. I was making products for Halloween and was pretty rapt after I had spent a long time placing this together. I have had no formal training in Photoshop only learning by tutorials and help from on-line friends and Zazzlers. I am a bit partial to Witches and Faeries . In my younger years one of my most favourite TV shows was Bewitched and now the old re runs are back, you can watch them all over again. My poster should it have been possible, would have sat well on a wall in Samantha's home I am sure.

Do you prefer to work.... *

Early morning

How did you find zazzle - and what kept you going with it? *

I came by Zazzle in a post in a Australian Beading forum and in early 2010 after a workplace injury I needed to fill in time as there were now many physical tasks I could no longer perform.
Zazzle is very addictive and I had a lot to learn,I zazzle still everyday. Whether creating new products,promoting or learning from tutorials.
I have moved a lot from my photography in my main store to learning to use graphics. I now have 5 stores working on each a bit at a time. Zazzle has sent me in a totally different direction in my life, I cannot return to the job I loved and am currently seeking out Graphic Design courses to help me be a better artist.

The photo on the front of this calendar is my favorite design. It is a photo of Prague and it is my favorite because i love the city of Prague in the Czech Republic. It was taken on a trip with my friend in 2008. We enjoyed the beautiful historical places in Prague and also eating and shopping. I love the blue water of the Vltava River that runs through Prague and the beautiful, old architecture of the buildings of Prauge. I think that the spires on top of the buildings in Prague and other European cities are so beautiful.

What sites do you use to promote your zazzle store? (directly or indirectly - such as sites you use to promote your blogs which promote your store) *

Amazon wishlist

Blogger/ Blogspot

Posterous

Twitter

Digg

Tumblr

Stumbleupon

Facebook

Facebook pages

Squidoo

Aol profile

Delicious

General forums

Personal webpage

Other Online sites

If you could get your item on any TV show - which item would it be and what show would it be on....and why??? *

The television show that I would want this laptop bag to be featured on would be the Rick Steves show. Rick travels through Europe and makes travel documentaries and television shows about all of the amazing places that he visits in Europe. I have seen his shows on the Travel Channel but I think currently hei s on public television and he also makes travel DVDs that are available to purchase. Rick Steves could really use this beautiful Prague laptop bag to protect and carry his laptop in as he travels throughout Europe making his television shows and documentaries.

Do you prefer to work.... *

Late morning

Night

Late night

How did you find zazzle - and what kept you going with it? *

I met someone at a conference who told me about Zazzle. When I got home I uploaded some of my flower photos, made some products and forgot about it. About two months later I got an e-mail from Zazzle stating that I had sold a pair of $67.50 Keds shoes. The customer was referred from my website so I made about $20 between the royaly and the referral fee. I was hooked from that point on and now I have about 20 stores.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

It has provided an outlet for my creative juices. It also has helped me be more conscious of my creative abilities, and taught me that when there is a will, there is a way. Zazzle has also given me a reason to get away from the TV, and to use my time more productively. Now instead of being " with the boys", I spend more time at home and doing something I love. For that I have to thank Zazzle!

Zazzle is a... *

Part Time Job

Addiction

What advice would you share with a friend or family member if they wanted to join zazzle? *

My initial advice is to not give up. Create, create, create, and keep creating. The more you create the easier it becomes to start mastering the different programs used for creating digital images. Use the forum to learn new things and marketing ideas, ask questions without feeling embarrassed.
Jot down your ideas and surf the web to see what others are doing and to get inspiration when you feel bogged down. And again, don't give up!

What other PODs do you use? *

Zazzle

What do you do when you are not zazzling? *

I am a registered architect with a small practice, so I go to the office in the mornings to work like everyone else. When I go out, the camera is always with me and at home, well, there is where I zazzle! At the office I am exploring a different creative path, one that is much more restrictive (codes and laws) but none the less creative, but at home, I let the creative juices flow.

How many stores do you have on zazzle? *

2-4

Which do you prefer and why? 1 Mega Store or Several Niche Stores *

I really prefer one store because of the hassle of having to decide all the time where are you going to put what and so on. The only reason I have another store is because I read in some suggestions not to mix political issues on your store. Since I like to do some political satire, i decided to open another store devoted just to politics.

What advice would you share with a friend or family member if they wanted to join zazzle? *

First, Zazzle is not a get rich quick scheme. It takes work, and there's some frustration at times. It's almost more important to be good at marketing than art, though the ability to design a good image is essential.

I started with just Cartesian Bear, which is focused on just a couple of related areas. [science fiction, gifted education, science/engineering, all with a witty, humorous touch.] When I decided to do some steampunk designs, I set up a new store for those. And very recently, I've set up a store to sell products with some of the images from my apps.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

What is the most important thing you have learned since starting on zazzle? *

You can never tell what will be a best seller. Some of my favorite images don't sell at all, others I like less are very popular. Why does Darwin outsell daVinci? Who's buying all those ties? It's fun to think about these things.

Do you consider yourself an Artist selling art, or a Business person selling products which happen to be art? *

Artist - every product is a perfect piece of art i have carefully selected and set to match how I feel they should be displayed

What do you enjoy most about zazzle? *

I love making things, and Zazzle gives me a great way to share my products with many people.

When working on zazzle you... *

enjoy listening to music

What is your favorite thing to do when not Zazzling? *

I'm a polymath, which means I do lots of different things: knit, build furniture, make chain mail, spin yarn, volunteer at my kids' schools, work out ... recently I've been developing Knit Suite, a series of mobile reference apps for knitters.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Zazzle has only changed my life in the sense that it has made me search for more creative ways to use my artwork, and it has made me search for ways to promote my artwork. Zazzle has at this point opened my mind to some possibilities that I would not have thought of without the store itself. Zazzle is an opportunity.

Zazzle is a... *

Part Time Job

What advice would you share with a friend or family member if they wanted to join zazzle? *

If a friend or family member wanted to Zazzle, I'd first let them know that they need to build and it takes time. They won't get rich in a month. It takes much more work than just putting designs on products and it takes daily and constant work to keep it up and updated. For anyone who thinks it's just an instant way to make money, I think you'll be surprised that there is a little more to this than meets the eye. If one is willing to put in the time and work, then success is there waiting for you.

What other PODs do you use? *

Zazzle

Cafepress

Fine Art America

What do you do when you are not zazzling? *

Art, Artwork and more Art. I paint almost every day, and then take the images and work them so that they will fit on the products. I have a difficult time keeping my new paintings in all of the venues, but I love it all. Love working on the computer, and love graphics, and most of all, love the flow of color beneath my brush... rich wet color flowing from a watercolor brush onto a painting. The reward is when I'm happy with a painting. There are many that are not successful. :)

How many stores do you have on zazzle? *

1

Which do you prefer and why? 1 Mega Store or Several Niche Stores *

I prefer one Mega Store as I simply don't care to go from store to store, though I can see the need sometimes for niche stores. I try to break my 1 mega store into basic categories, so that it is fairly easy to navigate. I like that someone can easily see many of my brightly colored designs on one page, so that they are intrigued. That is why I keep one Store.

What is the most important thing you have learned since starting on zazzle? *

The most important thing I learned since starting on Zazzle is

Do you consider yourself an Artist selling art, or a Business person selling products which happen to be art? *

Artist - every product is a perfect piece of art i have carefully selected and set to match how I feel they should be displayed

What do you enjoy most about zazzle? *

Hmm...what do I enjoy most about zazzle???
Everything LOL!! I love Zazzle, it gives me the ability to be creative, and not be limited to just one style of art and share it with the world! I have a job that I am more than proud of which allows me to help support my family and still be at home with them! Zazzle is Great products, great service and a great business and company to be associated with, I wouldn't be anywhere else!

When working on zazzle you... *

enjoy listening to music

What is your favorite thing to do when not Zazzling? *

Haha, I am usually doing something Zazzle related, my family says I'm addicted LOL!! But when I'm not zazzling, I am spending time taking care of and with my family! When I do have some free time for myself I enjoy drawing, painting, working with computer graphic software, and sculpting with polymer clay.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

I love Zazzle!! It has changed my life by giving me the ability to share my artistic style with the world and have an online business that I am more than proud of. In this economy with jobs being hard to come by, Zazzle has given me what I needed in more ways than one, a way to help support my family and have a job I really love and enjoy doing which is creating designs and artwork for Zazzle products!

Zazzle is a... *

Part Time Job

Addiction

What advice would you share with a friend or family member if they wanted to join zazzle? *

The advice I would give to someone wanting to join Zazzle would be "never give up", everything in life takes time to build and in the end it is always worth it. Zazzle is a great place, great opportunities and the sky is the limit!

List for success
1) You don't need a million products to have sales, quality over quantity.

2)customizable designs, customers love to personalize gifts.

3)make sure to use relevant keywords and describe your design as if describing to someone who is on the phone with you when you list your products.

4) Remember to visit the Zazzle forums, there is a lot of great information and help with any questions you might have!!

5) Don't give up, keep designing and adding new products, the sales will come, it just takes time!!

What other PODs do you use? *

Zazzle

What do you do when you are not zazzling? *

Hmm..lol!! I am usually doing something Zazzle related most of the time but when I'm not, I am creating some kind art or doing housework. I'd rather be doing art than housework though lol!
I do enjoy painting, making clay sculptures, creating art on my computer. I just need alot more hours in the day to do all the ideas I have in my head and all the software I have and want to know "everything" each one does to create more.

How many stores do you have on zazzle? *

2-4

Which do you prefer and why? 1 Mega Store or Several Niche Stores *

I am not sure on that, I think both are good and it is personal preference I guess. Several niches stores might make it easier to add products to the stores, but then it is also hard to have so many stores to keep up with, but a mega store could be overwhelming also with so many products and images to sort through.
But I do like the idea of having both because you could have stores dedicated to just one theme and it be more specialized to your designs.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Zazzle has given my mom and I a chance to do something together. It's fun to take some of her older art, retouch it and put it up on a variety of items. It also got her inspired to pick up art again. For me, it's a nice chance to do something creative and have an excuse to play with my camera more.

Zazzle is a... *

Part Time Job

What advice would you share with a friend or family member if they wanted to join zazzle? *

Never dismiss a design just because you don't like it or aren't sure of it. You never know what will sell. Also, take time to make sure your image or design fits the product well.

What other PODs do you use? *

Zazzle

Fine Art America

What do you do when you are not zazzling? *

When not zazzling, I'm usually working on my writing, listening to music or playing with photography unless it's hockey season then usually listening to a game online.

How many stores do you have on zazzle? *

2-4

Which do you prefer and why? 1 Mega Store or Several Niche Stores *

We started with one store and it sort of went mega-store from there encompassing all of mom's art and my photography. If we had to start over again, I'm not sure we'd put everything together like that just because it can get overwhelming trying to organize things.

The other two stores we haven't put any products in yet, but will be more niche centered.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

I am realizing sales from my artwork not otherwise possible. And, reaching a customer base from around the globe. It has given me the license to be creative with products. As a result, I'm experimenting with my artwork a lot more which fuels creativity.

Zazzle is a... *

Part Time Job

Addiction

What advice would you share with a friend or family member if they wanted to join zazzle? *

Don't be afraid of experimenting with your art on different products. Visit other stores on Zazzle to see how other people design their shops and products. Create lots of products in different categories. The more you create the better your chances of your products selling in the market place. Most importantly, be patient.

What other PODs do you use? *

Zazzle

Printfection

Redbubble

Fine Art America

Imagekind (by Cafepress)

Blue Canvas

What do you do when you are not zazzling? *

Zazzle is great for work at home moms. It allows for flexibility of setting your own schedule. When I'm not creating art, I'm looking after my family. I'm also a jewelry artist so I'm putting time into creating new designs. I also like to workout, read and bake. I'm an activist for special education in New York State.

How many stores do you have on zazzle? *

2-4

Which do you prefer and why? 1 Mega Store or Several Niche Stores *

I think niche stores are nicer although require more time. It allows customers to find products in their favorite subjects and styles a lot easier. It also allows for each store to have it's own "personality".

Monday, April 2, 2012

I no longer have any other hobbies. :O)
I started in 2009 and it has become the focal point of my life. I love creating and having the opportunity to sell what I make is the best.
It's great to be part of such a wonderful community of other creative people. I am thankful for people like you who promote other people's work and wish I had the computer knowledge to do so also.

Zazzle is a... *

Addiction

What advice would you share with a friend or family member if they wanted to join zazzle? *

Just do it. You never know what creativity may be lurking inside you. Give it your best and enjoy the whole process. Also be patient as it takes time.

What other PODs do you use? *

Zazzle

Wordans

Greeting Card Universe

Fine Art America

Spoonflower

What do you do when you are not zazzling? *

Family, birding and nature have always been my love and now I can combine it with thinking about what to put on Zazzle....
It is possible to work on Zazzle and still have conversations, visits etc :O)

How many stores do you have on zazzle? *

2-4

Which do you prefer and why? 1 Mega Store or Several Niche Stores *

Mega store and a niche store. Having a niche store is more for organizing my own thoughts